Beverage machine with a stabilizing foot

ABSTRACT

A machine ( 1 ) has a unit for preparing and dispensing via an outlet ( 36 ) a beverage. The machine includes: an outside housing ( 30 ) with one or more outside faces ( 30   a,   30   a′,   30   b,   30   c,   30   d ); and at least one placement member ( 30   e ) for resting onto a generally flat external support surface ( 5 ) in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the beverage outlet ( 36 ) to a beverage dispensing surface ( 5,37 ). At least one placement member ( 30   e ) is movable and has: a deployed placement position providing a stability of the unit in this orientation on the external support surface ( 5 ); and a retracted rest position within the outside housing ( 30 ) or collapsed against the outside housing ( 30 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/064149, filed on May 30, 2018, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 17173885.9, filed on Jun. 1, 2017, the entire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention pertains to beverage preparation machines provided with a foot or feet, e.g. machines using capsules of an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared.

For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc. . . . . A “capsule” is meant to include any pre-portioned beverage ingredient, such as a flavouring ingredient, within an enclosing packaging of any material, in particular an airtight packaging, e.g. plastic, aluminium, recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges containing the ingredient. The capsule may contain an amount of ingredient for preparing a single beverage portion or a plurality of beverage portions.

BACKGROUND ART

Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or ingredients that are stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added at the time of preparation of the drink. Some beverage machines possess filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, e.g. a thermoblock or the like.

Especially in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted in a brewing device. The brewing device is tightly closed about the capsule, water is injected at the first face of the capsule, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of the capsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from a second face of the capsule and collected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass.

It is also known to make portable machines for preparing beverage, for instance as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,241, WO 99/02081, WO 2006/102980, US 2007/0199452, WO 2009/092746, EP 1 686 879 and WO 2011/131595.

Brewing devices have been developed to facilitate insertion of a “fresh” capsule and removal of the capsule upon use. Typically, the brewing devices comprise two parts relatively movable from a configuration for inserting/removing a capsule to a configuration for brewing the ingredient in the capsule. The actuation of the movable part of the brewing device may be manual as disclosed in WO 2009/043630, WO 01/15581, WO 02/43541, WO 2010/015427, WO 2010/128109, WO 2011/144719 and WO 2012/032019. Various handle configurations are disclosed in EP 1867260, WO 2005/004683, WO WO2007/135136, WO 2008/138710, WO 2009/074550, WO 2009/074553, WO 2009/074555, WO 2009/074557, WO 2009/074559, WO 2010/037806, WO 2011/042400, WO 2011/042401 and WO 2011/144720. Integrations of such arrangements into beverage machines are disclosed in WO 2009/074550, WO2011/144719, EP2014195046, EP2014195048 and EP2014195067.

The actuation of the movable part of the brewing device may be motorized. Such a system is for example disclosed in WO 2012/025258, WO 2012/025259, WO 2013/127476 and EP 1 767 129. In this latter disclosure, the brewing device has a capsule insertion passage provided with a safety door assembled to the movable part of the brewing device via a switch for detecting an undesired presence of a finger in the passage during closure. Alternative covers for a capsule insertion passage are disclosed WO 2012/093107 and WO 2013/127906.

For allowing the user to interact with such machines, for providing operation instructions to the machine or obtaining feed-back therefrom, various systems have been disclosed in the art, for instance as mentioned in the following references: AT 410 377, CH 682 798, DE 44 29 353, DE 202 00 419, DE 20 2006 019 039, DE 2007 008 590, EP 1 448 084, EP 1 676 509, EP 08155851.2, FR 2 624 844, GB 2 397 510, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,377,049, 4,458,735, 4,554,419, 4,767,632, 4,954,697, 5,312,020, 5,335,705, 5,372,061, 5,375,508, 5,645,230, 5,685,435, 5,731,981, 5,836,236, 5,959,869, 6,182,555, 6,354,341, 6,759,072, US 2007/0157820, WO 97/25634, WO99/50172, WO 2004/030435, WO 2004/030438, WO 2006/063645, WO 2006/090183, WO 2007/003062, WO 2007/003990, WO 2008/104751, WO 2008/138710, WO 2008/138820, WO 2010/003932, WO 2011/144720 and WO 2012/032019.

WO 2007/141334 and WO 2008/006682 disclose a beverage dispensing machine with a beverage preparation module that is movable relative to a base station.

WO 2006/050881 discloses a milk frother that has a dispensing head for dispensing the frother milk. The dispensing head is retractable inside the forther's housing for the time needed at the end of a dispensing cycle to perform a cleaning cycle of the dispensing head. WO 2009/043630 and PCT/EP16/070680 disclose a beverage machine with a dispensing head that is movable into and out of the machine's external casing. PCT/EP16/070685 discloses a beverage machine with a user-interface that is movable into and out of the machine's external casing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage. The beverage preparation machine can be an in-home or out of home machine. The machine may be for the preparation of coffee, tea, chocolate, cacao, milk, soup, baby food, etc . . . .

The beverage preparation typically includes the mixing of a plurality of beverage ingredients, e.g. water and milk powder, and/or the infusion of a beverage ingredient, such as an infusion of ground coffee or tea with water. One or more of such ingredients may be supplied in loose and/or agglomerate powder form and/or in liquid form, in particular in a concentrate form. A carrier or diluents liquid, e.g. water, may be mixed with such ingredient to form the beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a portion (e.g. a serving). The volume of such portion may be in the range of 25 to 200 ml and even up to 300 or 400 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup, depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may be selected from ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, latte macchiato, café latte, americano coffees, teas, etc. . . . . For instance, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing espressos, e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per portion, and/or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 150 ml per portion.

The machine of the invention has a unit for preparing and dispensing via an outlet a beverage, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food.

The machine has: an outside housing with one or more outside faces, such as one or more faces selected from a top face, a bottom face, a side face, a rear face and a front face; and at least one placement member for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the above unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the beverage outlet to a beverage dispensing surface for positioning a user-cup or user-mug.

At least one placement member is movable and has:

-   -   a deployed placement position providing a stability of the unit         in such orientation on the external support surface, optionally         the placement member in the deployed placement position         extending away from the outside housing and/or extending         laterally beyond at least one of the above side face, rear face         and front face; and     -   a retracted rest position within the outside housing or         collapsed against the outside housing, e.g. collapsed against         and extending along the outside housing.

The placement member(s) may be pivotably and/or translationally mounted relative to the outside housing, for moving the placement member(s) from the deployed placement position to the retracted rest position and vice versa.

An incorporation of the placement member(s) in such machine may thus provide an overall size reduction when in the retracted rest position (e.g. for storing or displacing the machine) and/or provide a configuration suitable for placing a separable module (fitted with the placement member(s)) of the machine onto a docking station of such machine and connecting the module to the docking station, the module being placeable in the beverage preparation and dispensing orientation with the aid of the placement member(s) on an external support surface when not docked onto the docking station.

In the unit's orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the beverage outlet:

-   -   the or at least one placement member in the deployed placement         position may extend laterally beyond a housing outside face that         extends upright above this placement member such as beyond this         housing outside face by a horizontal distance of at least 3 mm         such as in the range of 5 to 25 mm, e.g. 10 to 15 mm; and/or     -   the machine can have: an overall height extending from a bottom         end of the deployed placement member to a top end of the         machine; and an overall distance spacing a housing outside face         extending upright above the placement member and a facing         housing outside face, such that a ratio of the overall         height/overall distance is of at least 1.3, such as at least         1.5, for instance at least 2, for example at 2.5, e.g. at least         3; and/or     -   the outside housing has a bottom outside face adjacent to the or         at least one placement member, the bottom outside face having a         generally convex, biconvex, multi-convex or downwardly tapered         shape, such as a generally rounded shape, e.g. a cylindrical,         spherical, ellipsoidal, ovoidal or conical shape, and/or such as         a generally polyhedral shape, e.g. a prismatic or pyramidal         shape.

The machine can have one or more stationary placement members for resting onto the generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the beverage preparation and dispensing unit is in the above orientation, optionally the stationary placement member protruding upright in this orientation.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit can include the beverage outlet for dispensing the beverage to the beverage dispensing surface.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit can incorporate a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet. The liquid circuit may incorporate at least one activatable unit that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The activatable unit may be selected from: a liquid driver such as an electric pump e.g. a solenoid pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a positive displacement pump or a peristaltic pump, for driving liquid to the outlet; a thermal conditioner, such as a liquid heater and/or cooler, for thermally conditioning liquid delivered by the outlet; and an ingredient processing unit. The liquid circuit may include one or more liquid ducts for guiding liquid to be delivered by the outlet.

The thermal conditioner may be a boiler or a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH), for instance an ODH type disclosed in EP 1 253 844, EP 1 380 243 and EP 1 809 151.

Examples of liquid drivers e.g. pumps and their incorporation into beverage machines are disclosed in WO 2009/150030, WO 2010/108700, WO 2011/107574 and WO 2013/098173.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit may incorporate a liquid supply arrangement, such as a main reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir fluidically connected by a liquid connector or a main reservoir and a connector to a liquid supply line.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit can include at least one of: an internal power supply, such as a rechargeable battery; a connector to an external power supply, such as a module electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains; a control unit for controlling a module and optionally functions contained in a docking station; and an interface device that is optionally connected, when present, to such control unit.

The machine may incorporate a or the above docking station and a or the above module disconnectably connected to the docking station.

Such module can include: the unit for preparing and dispensing via the outlet; and the at least one movable placement member and optionally the stationary placement member(s).

The docking station and the module may incorporate at least one of: a station ingredient supply, such as a water tank, and a module liquid connector connectable to the station ingredient supply; and a station connector to an external power supply, such as a station electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and a module connector, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in the module, connectable to the station connector, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in the station.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit may incorporate a or the above ingredient processing unit that has an ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat, e.g. a seat in which ingredients are mixed.

The ingredient processing unit can have a first module and a second module that are movable relatively to each other by an actuator between: a distant configuration for inserting into the seat and/or removing from the seat, e.g. towards a waste ingredient collector, an ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient supplied within a capsule into the seat for instance via an ingredient supply channel; and a proximate configuration for processing the ingredient in the seat.

Examples of suitable waste ingredient collectors for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in EP 1867260, WO 2009/074559, WO 2009/135869, WO 2010/128109, WO 2011/086087 and WO 2011/086088.

The first and second modules may be part of a mixing unit.

Examples of suitable mixing unit with first and second modules that are relatively moved by a motor are disclosed in EP 1767129, WO 2012/025258, WO 2012/025259, WO 2013/127476 and WO 2014/056641. The first module and the second module of the mixing unit can be relatively movable generally along a longitudinal straight axis. Typically, the first and second modules of the mixing module are distant from each other in the transfer position and close to each other in the mixing position. In the mixing position, the first and second modules may define a mixing chamber, e.g. a chamber for receiving a plurality of beverage ingredients to be mixed together. In one embodiment, the mixing chamber is an infusion chamber in which infusible ingredients, e.g. coffee or tea, are exposed to a carrier liquid, such as water e.g. hot water. The mixing chamber may be configured to receive loose solid ingredient particles and/or to receive proportioned ingredients within a capsule. At least one part of the first and second modules may delimit a cavity for receiving the ingredient e.g. within a capsule, such as a tapered cavity, e.g. a conical or pyramidal cavity, or a straight cavity, e.g. a cylindrical or trapezoidal cavity. Such cavity may extend along an axis that is generally collinear with the above longitudinal straight axis. The other part of these first and second parts may include an extraction plate, such as a plate provided with piercing elements for opening a flow-through face of the capsule or a non-intrusive plate for cooperating with a pre-opened or a self-opening flow-through face of the capsule. Self-opening capsules are for instance disclosed in CH 605 293 and WO 03/059778. The opening of capsules by a machine's piercing elements of a plate are for example disclosed in EP 512 470 and EP 2 068 684. Examples of suitable mixing modules with mixing chambers are disclosed in WO 2008/037642 and WO 2013/026843. A flavoured beverage may be prepared by circulating (by means of a liquid driver, e.g. a pump) a carrier liquid, such as water, into the capsule to flavour the liquid by exposure to a flavouring ingredient held in the capsule, e.g. along an extraction direction that may be generally parallel to the direction of relative movement of the first and second modules of the mixing units. When closed capsules are used, the first and second modules may include a capsule opener such as blades and/or a tearing tool, e.g. a plate with a tearing profile, for instance as known from Nespresso™ machines or as disclosed in EP 0 512 470, EP 2 068 684 and WO 2014/076041 and the references cited therein. The interaction between the first and second modules (and optionally a capsule transfer channel) and an ingredient capsule may be of the type disclosed in WO 2005/004683, WO 2007/135135, WO2007/135136, WO 2008/037642 and WO 2013/026856. The machine may include a capsule loader associated with the transfer channel for loading a capsule. The capsule to be loaded may be of the type described above under the title “Field of the Invention” and/or the capsule may include an ingredient described under the same title. The capsule can comprise a capsule body, e.g. a generally straight or tapered body. The capsule can have a circular peripheral annulus flange, e.g. a flexible or rigid flange, extending from a peripheral part, e.g. an edge or face, of the capsule body. The capsule may contain a flavoring ingredient for preparing tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food. The capsule loader may have: a capsule holding configuration for holding an ingredient capsule away from the mixing unit; and a capsule releasing configuration for releasing the capsule in or into the transfer channel towards the mixing unit. The loader may have a capsule gate that is movable, such as pivotable and/or translatable, between a position obstructing the transfer channel for preventing a passage of the capsule along the channel and a position clearing the transfer channel for allowing a passage of the capsule along the channel. Details of suitable capsule loaders are disclosed in WO 2012/126971, WO 2014/056641, WO 2014/056642 and WO 2015/086371. Details of suitable capsule sensing are disclosed in WO 2012/123440, WO 2014/147128, PCT/EP15/060555, PCT/EP15/060561, PCT/EP15/060567, PCT/EP15/065415 and PCT/EP15/065535.

The actuator may include at least one of: an automatic actuator, e.g. a motor such as an electric motor; a semi-automatic actuator, e.g. a return-spring arrangement for automatically returning the first and second modules either into their distant configuration or into their proximate configuration; and a user-handle.

Such user-handle may be connected to at least one of the first and second modules and actuate at least one of the modules by moving the handle from a first position to a second position. The handle in at least one of its first and second positions can be flush with at least one of the outside housing and a user-interface device.

The actuator can be connected to at least one of the first and second modules by a transmission that comprises at least one of a belt transmission, a gear transmission, e.g. a toothed gear transmission, and a lever transmission.

The machine may include a or the above user-interface device movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to an outside face of the above one or more outside faces so that the device is accessible by a user for operating such machine to prepare and dispense the beverage; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing so that the device is inaccessible to a user for operating such machine; and/or vice versa.

Hence, the user-interface device can be configured to be retracted when it does not need to be accessible and can be deployed when used, in a flexible manner. The orientation of the interface device can be changed between the deployed and retracted positions and/or the interface device in the deployed position can be off-set vis-à-vis its position in the retracted position. It follows that the movement and orientation of the interface device can be adapted to the overall configuration of the machine so as to best fit ergonomic and/or dimensional objectives.

The user-interface device may be connected to a or the above control unit of the machine.

The user-interface device may bear one or more: touch elements, such as (a) button(s) or (a) touch pad(s) or (a) touch screen(s); and/or user indicators, such as light means e.g. LED or signal screen.

The user-interface device can be configured to be secured in its operative and/or storage positions by at least one of: a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement.

The user-interface device may be configured to interrupt powering of the machine when in or moved into the storage position. For instance, the machine has a power unit that is configured to power functional components and that comprises a main switch that is directly or indirectly actuated by the user-interface device, the functional components comprising at least one of the user-interface device, a liquid driver, a thermal conditioner and a control unit.

The user-interface device in its deployed operative position may have a main outside face that is generally flush with the housing outside face that is adjacent to the user-interface device. For instance, the device's main outside face in the deployed operative position is predominantly surrounded, e.g. entirely surrounded, by housing outside faces that are flush with the device's main outside face.

The user-interface device may be movable, e.g. manually and/or automatically, from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and/or vice versa along a first direction and a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

The first direction may follow a movement of the user-interface device generally sinking into and emerging from the outside housing, optionally the first direction being generally orthogonal to the housing outside face that is adjacent to the user-interface device in its operative position or at an angle to such outside face that is in the range of 45 to 90 deg., such as 60 to 90 deg., e.g. 75 to 90 deg. The second direction may follow a movement of the user-interface device hiding behind and along the housing outside face that is adjacent to the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, optionally the second direction being generally parallel to the outside face that is adjacent to device in its operative position or at an angle to such outside face that is in the range of 0 to 45 deg., such as 0 to 30 deg., e.g. 0 to 15 deg.

The first direction may be at a large angle relative to a main outside face of the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, for instance a large angle in the range of 45 to 90 deg., such as a large angle of at least 60 deg., e.g. a large angle of at least or 75 or 85 deg. The second direction may be at a small angle relative to a main outside face of the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, for instance a small angle in the range of 0 to 45 deg., such as a small angle of less than 30 deg., e.g. a small angle of at less than 15 or 5 deg.

The user-interface device may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower and cam arrangement.

The cam of the arrangement can have a first section extending along the first direction and a second section extending along the second direction.

The user-interface device may be associated with a pair of cams having different, sequentially off-set, profiles such that when the user-interface device is moved from the operative to the storage positions it has a front edge that is lowered and displaced underneath the outside housing while a rear edge of the device, uncovered by the outside housing, remains above the front edge during a part of a movement of the user-interface device between the operative and the storage positions.

The machine can have a dispensing head with the beverage outlet.

The dispensing head may be movable between a deployed operative dispensing position in which the outlet is positioned above the dispensing surface and a storage position retracted into the outside housing.

The dispensing head may be coupled to a or the above user-interface device and may be movable between the operative position and the storage position together with the user-interface device. The user-interface device may be actuated by the dispensing head or vice versa. The user-interface device and the dispensing head may be coupled together by a rigid or an articulated arrangement, such as a cam-follower and cam arrangement or a flexible mechanically connector or by a lever arrangement.

The dispensing head can include a or the above ingredient holder, e.g. an ingredient mixing unit, forming an ingredient seat.

The dispensing head may be movable: outwards out of the outside housing into the deployed operative position; and inwards into the outside housing into the retracted storage position. For example, in the storage position: the outlet is confined within the outside housing; and/or the dispensing head is surrounded by outside faces of the outside housing that are generally flush with apparent faces of the dispensing head.

The liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet may include at least one activatable unit that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation, such as an activatable unit selected from: a or the above liquid driver; a or the above thermal conditioner; and a or the above ingredient processing unit.

The dispensing head may be configured so that it can be maintained in: the deployed operative position whether the activatable unit(s) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated; and/or the retracted storage position whether the activatable unit(s) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated.

The dispensing head may be movable manually by a user from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, the machine has a or the above power unit with a or the above main switch that is directly or indirectly actuated by the dispensing head when moved between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions.

The dispensing head may be movable automatically, e.g. by a motor and/or an automatic return-spring, from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, the dispensing head is moved into its deployed operative position when the machine is powered and/or is moved into its retracted storage position when a powering of the machine is interrupted.

The dispensing head may be: maintained in its deployed operative position and/or in its retracted storage position by at least one of a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement; and/or guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower and cam arrangement.

The dispensing surface may be formed by an external placement support for placing such machine in position for preparing and dispensing the beverage.

The dispensing surface may be formed by a user-recipient support device of such machine. The user-recipient support device may be movable or removable from under the outlet. For instance, the support device is separable from a or the above module of such machine and storable in a storage seat of such module, e.g. storable in the storage seat and secured therein by at least one of: friction and/or magnetic force between the seat and the support device; clipping or locking the support device in the seat; and covering the seat by at least one of a door, gate, housing cover e.g. a cocoon-type half shell, carrying handle and belt.

Examples of suitable recipient supports are disclosed in EP 0 549 887, EP 1 440 639, EP 1 731 065, EP 1 867 260, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,161,455, 5,353,692, WO 2009/074557, WO 2009/074559, WO 2009/135869, WO 2011/154492, WO 2012/007313, WO 2013/186339, EP 2014198712, EP 2014198710 and EP 2014198715.

The machine can have a deployed configuration for use (e.g. preparing and dispensing beverage) and a compacted configuration for storage (e.g. non-use and/or displacement of the machine).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variation of the machine of FIG. 1 in a configuration for receiving an ingredient capsule;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a module of the machine of FIG. 1 or 2 in a configuration for receiving an ingredient capsule;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a module of the machine shown in FIG. 1 or 2 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a module of the machine shown in FIG. 1 or 2 in a compacted configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 in a compacted configuration;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the assembly of a user-interface device in the machine shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 6 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a module of the machine shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 8 , the module having deployed placement members for placing the module on a support surface;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the module of FIG. 9 with its deployable placement members retracted;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional front view of the machine of FIG. 2 with the module's deployable placement members retracted so that the module fits on a docking station of the machine;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the module of the machine shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 11 in a configuration for storing a recipient support of the machine;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the module of the machine shown in FIG. 12 having an uncovered compartment in which the recipient support is stored; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of the module of the machine shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 upon covering the compartment of the recipient support with a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 14 illustrate two exemplary embodiments (with minor design differences) of a beverage machine 1 in accordance with the invention. The differences are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and relate specifically to the arrangement in machine 1 of the liquid supply arrangement 50 a.

Machine 1 has a unit for preparing and dispensing via an outlet 36 a beverage, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food.

Machine 1 has an outside housing 30 with one or more outside faces 30 a,30 a′,30 b,30 c,30 d, such as one or more faces selected from a top face 30 a, a bottom face 30 a′, a side face 30 b, a rear face 30 c and a front face 30 d.

Machine 1 includes at least one placement member 30 e for resting onto a generally flat external support surface 5 in a configuration such that the above unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via beverage outlet 36 to a beverage dispensing surface 5,37 for positioning a user-cup or user-mug 4.

At least one placement member 30 e is movable and has:

-   -   a deployed placement position providing a stability of the unit         in the above orientation on external support surface 5,         optionally placement member 30 e in the deployed placement         position extending away from outside housing 30 and/or extending         laterally beyond at least one of side face 30 b, rear face 30 c         and front face 30 d; and     -   a retracted rest position within outside housing 30 or collapsed         against outside housing 30, e.g. collapsed against and extending         along outside housing 30.

Placement member(s) 30 e may be pivotably and/or translationally mounted relative to outside housing 30, for moving placement member(s) 30 e from the deployed placement position to the retracted rest position and vice versa.

In the unit's orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via beverage outlet:

-   -   at least one placement member 30 e in the deployed placement         position may extend laterally beyond a housing outside face 30         b;30 c,30 d that extends upright above placement member 30 e         such as beyond housing outside face 30 b;30 c,30 d by a         horizontal distance of at least 3 mm such as in the range of 5         to 25 mm, e.g. 10 to 15 mm; and/or     -   such machine 1 can have:         -   an overall height extending from a bottom end 30′ of             deployed placement member 30 e to a top end of machine 1;             and         -   an overall distance spacing a housing outside face 30 b;30 c             extending upright above placement member 30 e and a facing             housing outside face 30 b;30 d,     -   such that a ratio of the overall height/overall distance is of         at least 1.3, such as at least 1.5, for instance at least 2, for         example at 2.5, e.g. at least 3; and/or     -   outside housing 30 can have a bottom outside face 30 a′ adjacent         to the or at least one placement member 30 e, bottom outside         face 30 a′ having a generally convex, biconvex, multi-convex or         downwardly tapered shape, such as a generally rounded shape,         e.g. a cylindrical, spherical, ellipsoidal, ovoidal or conical         shape, and/or such as a generally polyhedral shape, e.g. a         prismatic or pyramidal shape.

Machine may have one or more stationary placement members 30 f for resting onto external support surface 5 in a configuration such that the above unit is in its orientation for preparing and dispensing beverage via the beverage outlet 36 to dispensing surface 5,37. For instance, stationary placement member 30 f protrudes upright in this orientation.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit may have:

-   -   beverage outlet 36 for dispensing a beverage to dispensing         surface 5,37; and     -   a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such         beverage into beverage outlet 36, the liquid circuit comprising         at least one activatable unit 40,51,52 that is passed through by         liquid during beverage preparation, such as an activatable unit         selected from:         -   a liquid driver 51 such as an electric pump e.g. a solenoid             pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a positive             displacement pump or a peristaltic pump, for driving liquid             to outlet 36;         -   a thermal conditioner 52, such as a liquid heater and/or             cooler, for thermally conditioning liquid delivered by             outlet 36; and         -   an ingredient processing unit 40,     -   optionally the liquid circuit comprising one or more liquid         ducts 53 for guiding liquid to be delivered by outlet 36;         and     -   a liquid supply arrangement 50,50 a, such as a main reservoir 50         and an auxiliary reservoir 50 a fluidically connected by a         liquid connector 50 b or a main reservoir 50 and a connector 50         b to a liquid supply line.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit may include at least one of: an internal power supply 57, such as a rechargeable battery; a connector to an external power supply 56, such as a module electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains; a control unit 55 for controlling a module 3 and optionally functions contained in a docking station; and an interface device 31 that is optionally connected, when present, to control unit 55.

Machine 1 may include a or the above docking station 2 and a or the above module 3 disconnectably connected to docking station 2.

Module 3 may include: the unit for preparing and dispensing via outlet 36; and the at least one movable placement member 30 e and optionally stationary placement member(s) 30 f.

Docking station 2 and module 3 may have at least one of: a station ingredient supply 50 a, such as a water tank, and a module liquid connector 50 b connectable to station ingredient supply 50 a; and a station connector 56 to an external power supply, such as a station electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and a module connector 58, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in module 3, connectable to station connector 56, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in station 2.

The beverage preparation and dispensing unit may include ingredient processing unit 40 that has an ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat 45, e.g. a seat in which ingredients are mixed.

Ingredient processing unit 40 may have a first module 41 and a second module 42 that are movable relatively to each other by an actuator between:

-   -   a distant configuration for inserting into seat 45 and/or         removing from seat 45, e.g. towards a waste ingredient collector         46, an ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient supplied within         a capsule 6 into seat 45 for instance via an ingredient supply         channel 47; and     -   a proximate configuration for processing the ingredient in seat         45.

The actuator may comprise at least one of: an automatic actuator, e.g. a motor such as an electric motor; a semi-automatic actuator, e.g. a return-spring arrangement for automatically returning the first and second modules either into their distant configuration or into their proximate configuration; and a user-handle 43.

For instance, the handle 43 is connected to at least one of first and second modules 41,42 and actuates at least one of modules 41,42 by moving handle 43 from a first position to a second position.

Handle 43 in at least one of its first and second positions can be flush with at least one of outside housing 30 and a user-interface device 31.

The actuator may be connected to at least one of the first and second modules by a transmission that comprises at least one of a belt transmission, a gear transmission, e.g. a toothed gear transmission, and a lever transmission 431,432,433,434.

Machine 1 may include (a) user-interface device 31 movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to an outside face 30 a of the one or more outside faces 30 a,30 b,30 c so that the device 31 is accessible by a user for operating such machine 1 to prepare and dispense beverage; to a retracted storage position in outside housing 30 so that device 31 is inaccessible to a user for operating such machine 1; and/or vice versa.

Device 31 may be connected to (a) control unit 55 of such machine 1.

Device 31 can bear one or more: touch elements, such as (a) button(s) 32 or (a) touch pad(s) or (a) touch screen(s); and/or user indicators, such as light means e.g. LED or signal screen.

Device 31 can be configured to be secured in its operative and/or storage positions by at least one of: a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement 30′,35′.

Device 31 may be configured to interrupt powering of such machine 1 when in or moved into the storage position. Machine 1 can have a power unit 54′ configured to power functional components and comprising a main switch 54 that is directly or indirectly actuated by the user-interface device 31. The functional components may have at least one of user-interface device 31, a liquid driver 51, a thermal conditioner 52 and a control unit 55.

Device 31 in its deployed operative position can have a main outside face 33 that is generally flush with housing outside face 30 a that is adjacent to user-interface device 31. For instance, the device's main outside face 33 in the deployed operative position is predominantly surrounded, e.g. entirely surrounded, by housing outside faces 30 a that are flush with the device's main outside face 33.

User-interface device 31 can be movable, e.g. manually and/or automatically, from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and/or vice versa along a first direction 31′ and a second direction 31″ that is non-parallel to the first direction 31′.

First direction 31′ may follow a movement of user-interface device 31 generally sinking into and emerging from outside housing 30, optionally first direction 31′ being generally orthogonal to housing outside face 30 a that is adjacent to device 31 in its operative position or at an angle to outside face 30 a that is in the range of 45 to 90 deg., such as 60 to 90 deg., e.g. 75 to 90 deg. Second direction 31″ may follow a movement of user-interface device 31 hiding behind and along housing outside face 30 a that is adjacent to user-interface device 31 in its deployed operative position, optionally second direction 31″ being generally parallel to outside face 30 a that is adjacent to device 31 in its operative position or at an angle to such outside face that is in the range of 0 to 45 deg., such as 0 to 30 deg., e.g. 0 to 15 deg.

First direction 31′ may be at a large angle relative to a main outside face 33 of user-interface device 31 in its deployed operative position, for instance a large angle in the range of 45 to 90 deg., such as a large angle of at least 60 deg., e.g. a large angle of at least or 75 or 85 deg. Second direction 31″ may be at a small angle relative to a main outside face 33 of user-interface device 31 in its deployed operative position, for instance a small angle in the range of 0 to 45 deg., such as a small angle of less than 30 deg., e.g. a small angle of at less than 15 or 5 deg.

User-interface device 31 may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower 31 a,31 c and cam 31 b,31 d arrangement, optionally cam 31 b,31 d of the arrangement having a first section extending along the first direction 31′ and a second section extending along the second direction 31″. User-interface device 31 may be associated with a pair of cams 31 b,31 d having different, sequentially off-set, profiles such that when user-interface device 31 is moved from the operative to the storage positions it has a front edge 33′ that is lowered and displaced underneath outside housing 30 while a rear edge 33″ of device 31, uncovered by outside housing 30, remains above front edge 33″ during a part of a movement of user-interface device 31 between the operative and the storage positions.

Machine 1 can have a dispensing head 35 with beverage outlet 36, dispensing head 35 being movable between a deployed operative dispensing position in which outlet 36 is positioned above dispensing surface 5,37 and a storage position retracted into the outside housing 30.

Dispensing head 35 may be coupled to (a) user-interface device 31 and may be movable between the operative position and the storage position together with user-interface device 31. For instance, user-interface device 31 is actuated by dispensing head 35 or vice versa. User-interface device 31 and dispensing head 35 may be coupled together by a rigid or an articulated arrangement, such as a cam-follower 31 c and cam 35 a arrangement or a flexible mechanically connector or by a lever arrangement.

Dispensing head 35 can have a or the above ingredient holder, e.g. an ingredient mixing unit, forming an ingredient seat 45.

Dispensing head 35 may be movable: outwards out of outside housing 30 into the deployed operative position; and inwards into outside housing 30 into the retracted storage position. In the storage position, outlet 36 may be confined within outside housing 30. In the storage position, dispensing head 35 may be surrounded by outside faces of outside housing 30 that are generally flush with apparent faces of dispensing head 35.

The liquid circuit for processing beverage and delivering such beverage into beverage outlet 36 can have at least one activatable unit 40,51,52 that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation, such as an activatable unit selected from: (a) liquid driver (51); (a) thermal conditioner 52; and (a) ingredient processing unit 40.

Dispensing head 35 may be configured to be maintained in: the deployed operative position whether activatable unit(s) 40,51,52 is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated; and/or the retracted storage position whether activatable unit(s) 40,51,52 is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated.

Dispensing head 35 may be movable manually by a user from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, machine 1 has a power unit 54′ comprising a main switch 54 that is directly or indirectly actuated by the dispensing head when moved between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions.

Dispensing head 35 may be movable automatically, e.g. by a motor and/or an automatic return-spring, from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, dispensing head 35 is moved into its deployed operative position when such machine 1 is powered and/or is moved into its retracted storage position when a powering of such machine 1 is interrupted.

Dispensing head 35 may be maintained in its deployed operative position and/or in its retracted storage position by at least one of: a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement 30′,35′.

Dispensing head 35 may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower 31 a,31 c and cam 31 b,31 d arrangement.

Dispensing surface 5,37 can be formed by an external placement support 5 for placing such machine 1 in position for preparing and dispensing beverage.

Dispensing surface 5,37 can be formed by a user-recipient support device 37 of machine 1.

User-recipient support device 37 may be movable or removable from under the outlet 36. For instance, support device 37 is separable from (a) module 3 of machine 1 and storable in a storage seat 38 of module 3, e.g. storable in storage seat 38 and secured therein by at least one of: friction and/or magnetic force between seat 38 and the support device 37; clipping or locking support device 37 in the seat 38; and covering seat 38 by at least one of a door, gate, housing cover 30′ e.g. a cocoon-type half shell, carrying handle 30″ and belt 30″. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A machine comprising a unit for preparing and dispensing a beverage via an outlet, the machine comprising: an outside housing having one or more outside faces; and at least one placement member configured for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface configured for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; the at least one placement member being movable between: a deployed placement position configured for providing a stability of the unit in the orientation on the generally flat external support surface; and a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing.
 2. A machine comprising a unit for preparing and dispensing a beverage via an outlet, the machine comprising: an outside housing having one or more outside faces; and at least one placement member configured for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface configured for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; the at least one placement member being movable between: a deployed placement position configured for providing a stability of the unit in the orientation on the generally flat external support surface; and a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing; wherein in the orientation, the at least one placement member in the deployed placement position extends laterally beyond one of the one or more outside faces that extends upright above the at least one placement member; the machine has: an overall height extending from a bottom end of the at least one placement member to a top end of the machine; and an overall distance spacing between a rear face of the one or more outside faces and a front face of the one or more outside faces, such that a ratio of the overall height to the overall distance is at least 1.3.
 3. The machine of claim 1, which has one or more stationary placement members configured for resting onto the generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in the orientation.
 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the unit comprises: the outlet configured for dispensing the beverage to the beverage dispensing surface; and a liquid circuit configured for processing the beverage and delivering the beverage to the beverage outlet, the liquid circuit comprising at least one activatable unit that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation.
 5. A machine comprising a unit for preparing and dispensing a beverage via an outlet, the machine comprising: an outside housing having one or more outside faces; and at least one placement member configured for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface configured for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; the at least one placement member being movable between: a deployed placement position configured for providing a stability of the unit in the orientation on the generally flat external support surface; and a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing; a docking station and a module disconnectably connected to the docking station, the module comprising: the unit for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet; and the at least one movable placement member and one or more stationary placement members.
 6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the unit comprises an ingredient processing unit that has an ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat, the ingredient processing unit having a first module and a second module that are movable relatively to each other by an actuator between: a distant configuration configured for inserting an ingredient into the ingredient seat and/or removing from the ingredient seat; and a proximate configuration for processing the ingredient in the ingredient seat.
 7. A machine comprising a unit for preparing and dispensing a beverage via an outlet, the machine comprising: an outside housing having one or more outside faces; and at least one placement member configured for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface configured for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; the at least one placement member being movable between: a deployed placement position configured for providing a stability of the unit in the orientation on the generally flat external support surface; and a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing; a user-interface device movable between: a deployed operative position adjacent to an outside face of the one or more outside faces so that the user-interface device is accessible by a user for operating the machine to prepare and dispense the beverage; and a retracted storage position in the outside housing so that the user-interface device is inaccessible to the user for operating the machine.
 8. The machine of claim 7, wherein the user-interface device is movable between the deployed operative position into the retracted storage position along a first direction and a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.
 9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the user-interface device is guided between the deployed operative position into the retracted storage position by a cam-follower and cam arrangement.
 10. A machine comprising a unit for preparing and dispensing a beverage via an outlet, the machine comprising: an outside housing having one or more outside faces; and at least one placement member configured for resting onto a generally flat external support surface in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface configured for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; the at least one placement member being movable between: a deployed placement position configured for providing a stability of the unit in the orientation on the generally flat external support surface; and a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing; a dispensing head comprising the outlet, the dispensing head being movable between a deployed operative dispensing position in which the outlet is positioned above the beverage dispensing surface and a storage position retracted into the outside housing.
 11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the dispensing head is movable: outwards out of the outside housing into the deployed operative dispensing position; and inwards into the outside housing into the storage position.
 12. The machine of claim 10, comprising a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering the beverage to the outlet, the liquid circuit comprising at least one activatable unit that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation.
 13. The machine of claim 10, wherein the dispensing head is configured to be movable: manually by a user between the deployed operative dispensing position to the storage position; and/or automatically between the deployed operative dispensing position to the storage position.
 14. The machine of claim 10, wherein the dispensing head is: maintained in the deployed operative dispensing position and/or in the storage position by at least one mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a friction and/or magnetic force, a clipping arrangement, and a locking arrangement; and guided between deployed operative dispensing position into the storage position by a cam-follower and cam arrangement.
 15. The machine of claim 1, wherein the dispensing surface is formed by: an external placement support configured for placing the machine in position for preparing and dispensing the beverage; and/or a user-recipient support device of the machine. 